Jerusalem came to a standstill on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) from across the country gathered in the capital to protest the planned tightening of military draft regulations for Torah students. It was one of the largest demonstrations in recent years – reminiscent of the “Million Prayer Assembly” of 2014.

The crowd prayed, sang psalms, and repeatedly shouted, “We will not be forced!” Everywhere there were voices of determination but also of deep concern: speakers warned that the government was seeking to undermine the sacred duty of Torah study through political egalitarianism. “The study of the Torah is our shield – it defends the land more than any weapon,” one rabbi declared to thunderous applause. Many held signs reading, “We would rather die than give up our Torah.”

Not without danger: ultra-Orthodox Jews on rooftops in Jerusalem during the “million-man demonstration” against compulsory military service. Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

While the event began peacefully, a tragic accident occurred on the sidelines. A 15-year-old participant fell from a construction site near the protest area and succumbed to his injuries. Police and rescue forces worked nonstop, and the main entrances to Jerusalem were closed to manage the enormous influx of people.

For years, the question of draft exemptions for Torah students has fueled fierce political tensions. The Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down existing arrangements. Now, the Defense Ministry seeks to pass new legislation that would impose stricter enlistment requirements. For many secular Israelis, the exemption is a symbol of social inequality – they argue that ultra-Orthodox youth should also share in defending the country. For the Haredim, however, military service represents an assault on their religious way of life. They view it as a threat to their spiritual identity and autonomy.

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the “million man” protest against IDF conscription, in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under heavy pressure: on one hand, the Supreme Court demands equal treatment for all citizens; on the other, his governing coalition depends on the support of Haredi parties. A single misstep could destabilize his government. Opposition parties are already demanding a clear decision – either full equality or a permanent end to the exemptions. So far, Netanyahu has sought to ease tensions but without success.

This mass demonstration reveals how deep the divide between Israel’s secular and religious populations has become. It is not only a political struggle but also a battle over identity: what does it mean today to be a Jewish state? A state defined by the Torah – or a state of equal civic obligations?

Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

This was no ordinary protest. It was the outcry of an entire community that feels increasingly marginalized in modern Israel. The Haredim see the Torah as their weapon, their armor, their moral army. The state, meanwhile, emphasizes the responsibility of every citizen for the nation’s security. Between these two worldviews lies the profound question of whether Israel can find a path that reconciles both – the duty to defend and the freedom of faith.